7/30/2019 Welding on Wheel Fatality

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This bulletin contains preliminar y accident information and is

subject to change. The WCB has a wide range of health and safety

information. For assistance and information on workplace health

and safety, call toll-free within BC 1 888 621-SAFE (7233) or

visit our web site at www.worksafebc.com.

Incident Bulletin

2005108320019

Forestry

Welding on assembled wheel results in explosion

A stacker wheel with less than 4,500 hours of use developed a slow air leak in a weld along the circumference of

the rim. The factory weld had been weld-repaired three times before in the previous two months.

As with previous repairs, the worker removed the valve core and removed most of the air from the tire before

welding. This time the weld was approximately 1 x 6 inches on the rim. The tire was still mounted. After completing

the weld, the worker attached an air line and was adding air when the tire exploded. The worker died instantly.

After the explosion, investigators found there had been a fire inside the tire. It is believed welding heated the

nearby rubber, which then started to smoulder and released flammable gas. When air was added to inflate the

tire, it fanned the smouldering area into a fire. When the ratio of flammable gas and oxygen reached the explosive

limit, the tire exploded.

What should be done to

prevent a similar incident

Do not weld on an assembledwheel. Remove the tire first.

Then weld only if allowed by

the manufacturer or under the

direction of an engineer. Consider inflating the tire with

nitrogen instead of air. Use a

source regulated to the maximum

pressure permitted for the tire

being filled.

Work on assembled wheels mustbe conducted in compliance with

the Occupational Health and

Safety Regulation.

See page 2 for relevant sections

of the Regulation.

WORKER FATALITY

Preliminary Accident Information

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7/30/2019 Welding on Wheel Fatality

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Relevant section of the

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation*

16.48

Equipment and procedures

. . .

(7) Welding or heating on assembled rim or wheel parts is not permitted, except that limited

heating to facilitate removal of a wheel from a hub is acceptable after the tire has been

deflated by removing the valve core.

. . .

* The section of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation listed in this bulletin does notimply a breach of the Regulation on the part of any party that may have been involved with this

incident. The purpose in listing specific sections of the Regulation is to make readers aware of

some of the applicable sections of the Regulation.